Find out about our AW25 Artist in Residence, US-raised but London-based jazz clarinettist Giacomo Smith, in a 5 minute catch up with him
Welcome Giacomo, can you give us a brief synopsis of your background and musical journey?
My musical journey began with my mom playing the sheet music for Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five” on the piano. I was completely captivated by the minor riff and eventually learned to play it. When I finally heard the recording with Paul Desmond, I thought the only thing cooler than the piano riff would be playing the sax part. I studied music throughout university but never thought I could make my passion for jazz into a career. Once I made the move to London, the vibrant and talented scene across Europe convinced me that you can!
Describe your approach to making music
The reason I love playing jazz above other music is because it’s so social. Jazz lets you improvise from beat one – within the melody and later as a soloist over chord changes. The way you can instantaneously recompose within a piece of music in jazz allows you to be reactive and dialog with musicians and audience alike.
Tell us about the projects that you’ll be bringing to Wiltshire Music Centre this Autumn.
I’m so excited to be premiering my newest project “1925” at Wiltshire Music Centre. This year marks the hundred year anniversary of Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five recordings, which to me are some of the most influential in jazz history. Among other things, they established Louis Armstrong as the first famous jazz virtuoso and established the concept of virtuosic soloing in jazz groups.
I also can’t wait to bring my quartet with Sinti guitarist, Mozes Rosenberg, to Wiltshire to perform the music from my most recent album ‘Manouche’. Mozes is a disciple of Django Reinhardt (also himself a disciple of Armstrong!) and is at the forefront of the Manouche Jazz genre. Whenever Mozes and I perform, we elevate each other to new heights. His generosity and warmth instantly come through in his playing with an unparalleled level of guitar virtuosity.
You’ll also be working with Wiltshire Youth Jazz Orchestra (WYJO). Why do you think it’s important to mentor young musicians and what value does it bring to them as players?
I love working with young musicians because of their hunger for new ideas. I am forever inspired by my students and feel that the spirit of exploration you have at 10 or 15 or 20 is something you should never lose. The values established in musical exploration at a young age are values that I think hold into any career path. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences with the students and giving them the space to try out some new sounds.
What music are you enjoying at the moment and why?
I’m enjoying listening to the Slack Key guitar stylings of Raymond Kane and Moses Kahumoku these days. With my interest in Django, I’ve become a guitar nut over the years even though I can’t even play a G chord. I love the Slack Key stuff on the road because it helps me relax through a busy touring schedule.
